Crimson Desert Guide: Origin of Thoughts Abyss Puzzle Solution

The Origin of Thoughts is one of the more disorienting Abyss Island puzzles in Crimson Desert, mostly because it stacks several traversal mechanics on top of each other before you even reach the actual puzzle. Fan chains, a glowing battery you need to reposition, and a three-ring alignment challenge are all waiting for you. This guide walks through every step so you can grab the Abyss Artifact without burning half an hour figuring out which fan goes where.

Where is Origin of Thoughts located?

Origin of Thoughts sits within The Wanderer's Way cluster and is accessed through the Spire of Clockwork via Riddle Square. According to PowerPyx, you enter from the southwest corner of Riddle Square, passing through the archways there. Per IGN's walkthrough, you must complete Riddle Square before this puzzle becomes available, and the required skills are Axiom Force, Aerial Maneuver, Force Punch or Force Current, and Flight.

Abyss Nexus entry point

How do you reach the Origin of Thoughts puzzle island?

Getting to the actual puzzle requires navigating a multi-stage fan gauntlet. Here is the sequence:

1. At the southwest corner of Riddle Square, interact with the device and rotate it 90 degrees to the right to raise the platforms.
2. Follow the rising platforms west, climbing the side of a high ledge.
3. At the top, jump and glide into the updraft of the large fan to be launched upward.
4. Catch the second large fan above to go even higher, then glide west into the opening of the floating structure ahead.
5. Inside the structure, use the fans to ascend and navigate a small labyrinth before exiting the other side.
6. On the outside, ride the fans pushing upward on the small island until you reach a gated fan. Use it to fly over the gate and step into the light on the other side.
7. After the transition, ride two more fans on consecutive platforms upward, then head inside the next opening.
8. Ride the fan inside to the top, then use the side alcove fan to push yourself toward the Origin of Thoughts island.

Origin of Thoughts puzzle solution

Once you land on the puzzle island and activate the Abyss Nexus, the real challenge begins. There are seven distinct steps across multiple rings.

Step 1: Reach the first ring

From the Abyss Nexus, look left (west) to find a set of fans. Ride them upward to land on the first large ring above you.

Step 2: Reach the second ring and locate the Abyss Core

From the first ring, look southeast for another fan set. Per IGN, use the large fan to ascend to a second ring where you will find two structures with wires extending from them. According to TheGamer, one of these floating platforms has a rectangular Abyss Core sitting in a small alcove on the right-hand platform.

Step 3: Retrieve and position the Abyss Core

Use Axiom Force (hold L3 on controller, or TAB on PC) to grab the glowing battery. Move it upward so it is positioned between the two platforms, accessible from the platform above. According to PowerPyx, you need to bring it up to the upper platform and place it in the break of the wires. Green leaves swirling around it confirm the correct placement spot.

Step 4: Socket the Abyss Core

Once the battery is in position, use Force Palm (R3 on controller, or Mouse Wheel on PC) to push it into the slot. This reactivates the fan in that area.

Step 5: Ascend to the top ring

Ride the reactivated fans north and upward through another set of fans until you reach the very top ring. Head east along the wires toward a small hole in the platform.

Step 6: Solve the ring alignment puzzle

Use Axiom Force on the yellow control switch inside the hole. This triggers a top-down view of the ring system, broken into three sections: inner, middle, and outer.

The goal, as described by both IGN and TheGamer, is to align the single circular node on each ring with the static circular nodes in the top-left portion of the ring. Here is the sequence:

• Ring 1 (outer): Turn it to the left until the node lines up.
• Ring 2 (middle): Switch to it using R2/RT and move it to the right until it aligns.
• Ring 3 (inner): Switch again and align it the same way.

When all three nodes are correctly positioned, all rings glow blue and the top-down camera releases automatically.

Step 7: Activate the base switch and claim the reward

After the ring puzzle completes, drop back down to the first platform at the center of the island. A cluster of lights will be rising from the center. Crouch and use Force Palm (R3/Mouse Wheel) on the switch at the base. Then head to the Nexus Core to collect your Abyss Artifact.

According to TheGamer, you can also pass through the triangle gate behind the reward podium to power up a transporter using Axiom Force, which leads to the next platforming section and a new puzzle island.

What do you get for completing Origin of Thoughts?

The puzzle rewards two things: a Fast Travel Teleport point for the island, and an Abyss Artifact that can be used to improve your gear. Given that Abyss Artifacts are one of the more reliable upgrade materials in Crimson Desert, this one is worth the effort even if the fan traversal section feels tedious the first time through.

Origin of Thoughts is one of over 25 Abyss Restoration puzzles in the game, and they vary considerably in difficulty. If you are working through them systematically or looking for other content to tackle in Pearl Abyss's open-world action RPG, browse more Crimson Desert guides at GAMES.GG for walkthroughs covering bosses, collectibles, and progression tips.